Holden Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
February 21, 2006
6:30 PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman Joseph G. Sullivan, James M. Jumonville, David J. White, Kimberly N. Ferguson
Absent: Kenneth O'Brien
Others Present: Brian J. Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquelyn Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Sullivan opened the meeting at 6:35 PM.
Selectmen Licenses
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AN ANNUAL CLASS ONE LICENSE TO ROY ALAN WRIGHT d/b/a A.W. CYCLES FOR THE SALE OF NEW AND USED MOTORCYCLES, RECREATION VEHICLES AND MECHANICAL SERVICE REPAIR BASED ON THE SPECIAL PERMIT GRANTED BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS. THIS LICENSE WILL EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2006.
Reports of Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: A productive Public Hearing was held regarding Winterberry Hollow. Several neighbors attended and expressed concerns with the size (246 units) and the increased traffic caused by such a large development. The Affordable Housing Committee, while in agreement with the number of units, is sensitive to neighborhood concerns. They discussed that phasing in the units will help ease the impact of the development. Several issues will need to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Developer is working on responses to concerns/questions raised by Town Planner, Pam Harding. Abutters will continue to be notified. No official vote of approval was taken.
Master Plan Steering Committee: Membership letters have been sent to appoint candidates to the committee. Sel. Ferguson reported that she has been appointed to the committee.
Sel. Jumonville: Open Space/Recreation: Nothing to report.
Phased Growth Bylaw: Nothing to report.
Sel. White: Affordable Housing:
High School Building Committee: Continues to participate as a citizen non-voting member.
Public Safety Committee:
Sel. Sullivan: Public Safety Building: Continues to meet on a bi-weekly basis and will place a Warrant Article for the May Town Meeting.
Holden Hospital: Negotiations with UMASS continue.
Sewer Abatements
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THREE SEWER ABATEMENTS AS RECOMMENDED AND PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO: ESTATE OF MARY WISNIEWSKI, 93-100 SAWYER LANE MAP 163/PARCEL 6;FRANK W. AND ANNE L. PUFFER, MARK CIRCLE, MAP 235/PARCEL 49; AND DAN HARRINGTON REALTY CO., INC. 944 MAIN STREET MAP 174/PARCEL 60.
Town Manager's Miscellaneous
The Board reviewed the year-to-date Revenue and Expenditure report for the period ending January 2006.
The Manager informed the Board that according to Fire Chief Stark, the town is currently in the 2nd year of a five-year contract with AMR for ambulance services.
The Manager requested the Board's indulgence to delay discussion on the Sewer Transportation Rate until the March 6th meeting. He said that this would allow his staff ample time to gather further information and make a recommendation to the Board.
The Manager informed the Board that the town has received a letter from Herbert G. Ingram of Real Estate Coordinators, Inc. in Worcester expressing his interest in acquiring the Rice School property for residential condominium development. The Manager explained that in order for a new offer to be extended, the town would need to initiate a RFP procedure under the requirements for disposition of real property. The Board discussed pursuit of the offer and the reissue of an RFP. Sel. Jumonville commented that he would like the town to retain the green space/ball field area. Sel. White commented that parking issues will need to be addressed in the proposal. Chairman Sullivan would like to receive input from the members of prior Rice School Committees who worked to save and rehabilitate the building. The Manager will contact Town Counsel to
review the language in the RFP and a possible Town Meeting Warrant Article. The Holden Historical Commission has voted its approval of the redevelopment of the building.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO DEVELOP A DRAFT RFP PROCEDURE UNDER THE REQUIREMENTS OF DISPOSITION OF REAL ESTATE FOR THE RICE SCHOOL PROPERTY AND TO ALLOW PUBLIC INPUT/COMMENT TO BE CONSIDERED/INCORPORATED PRIOR TO THE RELEASE OF THE RFP.
The Manager said that a memo from DPW Director Larry Galkowski regarding sewer abatement appeals had been included in the Boards packet for review. The Board is scheduled to meet with these applicants at 5:30PM on February 22nd in the Starbard Building.
Citizens Address
Mr. Roger Starbard, 121 South Road, addressed the issue of growing pains within the Town. He discussed the past growth of the town and the services that the Fire and Police departments provide to its residents. He spoke to the inadequacies and safety concerns of the current public safety buildings to handle modern day equipment that is required to protect its residents. He said that the town should build for tomorrow not just for today. He asked that town voters address the need for a joint public safety building and approve the construction of the facility.
Ms. Ida Nystrom, 58 Walnut Street and a member of the Historical Commission, expressed her support of the redevelopment plan for Rice School. She said that the Commission would like to stay involved in a historical advisory capacity during the redevelopment process.
Ms. Maureen Floryan, Sterling Road, spoke to inequity issue comments that were recently made by members of the Board in response to comments she had made at a previous Citizens Address. Ms. Floryan said that she felt these comments from the Board were inaccurate.
Mr. Edward Connor, 55 Woodland Road, spoke to the preservation of Rice School. He urged the town to consider the safety concerns at the school and questioned the towns ability to respond to these safety concerns.
Mr. Peter Brennan, Mt. Pleasant Avenue, spoke in support of the resurrection of the Rice School. He said that he had served on two previous Rice School Committees and reminded the Board that the members of these committees supported the redevelopment of the building. He said that recent decisions by the Historic District Commission have allowed architectural and historic compromise in order to preserve community value. He spoke to the need for additional affordable housing units in town. He said that he supported the adaptive reuse of the building. He urged the town to support the re-bidding for the sale of the school.
Mr. Glen Gaudette, Jennifer Drive, spoke to the need for Ch. 70 aid reform. He said the problem was how the State would fix the inequity of Ch. 70 aid. The reform must be fair and equitable to everyone. He asked the Board to endorse the request for Ch. 70 reform but hold off on endorsing a specific plan.
Town Manager Evaluation
The Board and the Town Manager reviewed the results of his recent evaluation.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Reminded residents that the budget process has begun and encouraged citizens to attend budget meetings.
2. Reminded residents that the Board is on record in supporting Ch. 70 aid reform.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Asked the Manager questions regarding the reimbursement of State money for the high school modular units. When will the District return the money? The Manager said that the reimbursement would probably not arrive as a separate check, but rather be included in a lump reimbursement from the State to the District. The Manager said that he was unsure if or when the money has been received. He said the State nor the District has declared the money. The Board was in agreement that the District has a moral obligation to return the money to the District Towns.
Sel. White: 1. Announced that he would be available to attend the sewer abatement meeting on 2/22 but would be unable to attend the Resource Profile meeting with the Finance Committee at 7PM.
Executive Session
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:20PM TO DISCUSS NON UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIA-TIONS AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ROLL CALL VOTE: Sel. White: yes; Sel. Jumonville: yes; Sel. Ferguson: yes; Sel. Sullivan: yes.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE FEBRUARY 21, 2006 MEETING AT 8:41PM.
Approved: March 6, 2006 as amended
| 
